1. What is Public Housing?
| Public Housing was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for low-income to moderate families, elderly persons and persons with disabilities. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers federal aid to local housing agencies to manage the housing for residents at rents they can afford. |
2. How do I apply?
| Simply visit the website, www.slha.org to apply online. You may apply for a waiting list through any computer with Internet access. You may also visit the management office for the development whose waitlist is open to access computers to apply online. Click here to determine which Public Housing wait list is presently open. |
3. How old must I be to apply for Public Housing?
| You must be 18 years of age or older to apply. |
4. What information/documents are needed to apply online?
| Before you begin the pre-application please have the following information available: • Full name • Address • Social Security Number/Cards • Dates of Birth/Certificates • Household Income • Race/ethnicity & citizenship status • Paper and Pen/Pencil |
5. What if I do not have the information above (i.e. Social Security number); may I submit a pre-application without the required items?
| No. Your pre-application will be rejected if it is incomplete. |
6. What should I do if my address or family composition changed or if I made an error on my application?
| You must submit a Change of Information Form, in person or by mail to the development site that you applied to or, ATTN: Public Housing, St. Louis Housing Authority, 3520 Page Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63106 |
7. Can I be on more than one Public Housing Wait List?
| Yes. Applicants can be on two (2) Public Housing waiting lists. Applications received for more than two (2) wait lists will be rejected. |
8. If I am on the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) wait list, can I also be on the Public Housing wait list?
| Yes, you can be on both waiting lists. If you are already on a Public Housing waiting list, you can only be on two (2) Public Housing waiting lists at the same time. |
9. Where are Public Housing units located?
| SLHA’s public housing units are located in numerous communities throughout the city of St. Louis. Locations will vary depending on the availability of units. Click here for a list of SLHA Properties. |
10. What if I cannot access the website?
| If you cannot access the website, continue to try as the website may be busy assisting other users. |
11. Can I apply with my smartphone or other electronic device?
| Yes. All devices with Internet access can access the online pre-application. |
12. Do I have to be a citizen of the United States to be eligible to apply for the Public Housing program?
| No. You do not have to be a citizen of the United States, but at least one member of your household must be a United States citizen or a non-citizen with eligible immigration status (e.g. permanent resident, refugee/asylum statuses). |
13. Will paper applications be offered?
| Yes. As a reasonable accommodation, at their request, we will mail a pre-application to persons that are unable to apply online. Be mindful, all applications mailed in must be postmarked by the wait list closing date. |
14. What are the income limits for Public Housing Program eligibility?
| Click here for Income Limits. |
15. What is a Local Preference?
| A local preference is a system, adopted by SLHA, for selecting families admitted to the PH Program. Local preferences are only valid for the head of the household, co-head of the household, spouse or sole member. Dependents cannot qualify a family for a local preference. Please remember that claiming a local preference does not automatically grant you a preference on the wait list. Preferences will be verified by SLHA. |
16. What local preferences are available?
| Click here for Public Housing Preferences. |
17. If more than one preference applies to my family, may I select more than one preference?
| Yes. Select all preferences that apply. |
18. If I apply for the Public Housing program, will I receive housing assistance?
| No. Housing assistance is not guaranteed due to a pre-application being submitted. SLHA will determine if applicants are eligible before admission. |
19. I’ve submitted my pre-application, what’s next?
| You will be prompted to print the pre-application and receipt number pages. Retain these pages for your records as proof that you applied. You may check the status of your pre-application with the receipt number. If you are unable to print these pages, please record the receipt number for your records. |
20. How long will I be on the waiting list?
| Applicants will remain on the waiting list in order of preference, date and time of the pre-application until they are selected for eligibility and admission. |
